<blockquote><http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/18/world/middleeast/18iraq.html> December 18, 2006 Blair Pledges His Support During Surprise Visit to Iraq By SABRINA TAVERNISE
BAGHDAD, Dec. 17 — Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain pledged his support for the Iraqi government in a surprise visit here on Sunday. Less than a mile from where he spoke, gunmen in police uniforms seized 25 employees of an Iraqi aid organization.
Mr. Blair said preparations to give control of Basra, the southern city where the British military is based, to Iraqi troops were "going well." But he added that British troops would remain in Iraq "until the job is done" and the Iraqi Army could stand on its own.</blockquote>
* See Blair's position less than a month ago.
<blockquote><http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/23/nammo223.xml> Blair plans quick Iraq withdrawal
By Toby Helm, Chief Political Correspondent Last Updated: 2:14am GMT 24/11/2006
British troops could be pulled back from front-line duties in Iraq in less than six months under a rapid exit strategy being considered by Tony Blair.
The plan was revealed yesterday by Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, who said she had "confidence" that the Iraqis could assume control of the Basra region "at some point next spring".
Most of Britain's 7,200 troops in Iraq are stationed in the southern region.
Sources said the plan could involve the majority of British forces withdrawing to bases away from the city during a transitionary phase in which they would remain on hand in case the security situation deteriorated.</blockquote> -- Yoshie <http://montages.blogspot.com/> <http://mrzine.org> <http://monthlyreview.org/>